a strict expiation for his offences, and will be the instrument of deterring others from similar misconduct; and, finally, the government and the people will be equally secured for endless generations in the enjoyment of the happy effects of the great and noble virtues of our illustrious progenitors.
Dated the 5th Moon, of the third year, of Shun-Chee, A.D. 1647.
III.
PREFATORY EDICT
OF
THE EMPEROR KAUNG-HEE,
(OTHERWISE, BUT IMPROPERLY, CAMHI,)
THE SECOND OF THE PRESENT DYNASTY.
THE chief ends proposed by the institution of punishments in the empire, have been to guard against violence and injury, to repress inordinate desires, and to secure the peace and tranquillity of an honest and unoffending community.
Laws have accordingly been enacted, numerous, as well as particular in their application, and subsequently varied and augmented at different times, as circumstances were found to require, but without ever losing sight of those principles of affection and benevolence, of which our Illustrious Predecessors, who laid the foundation of these institutions, were invariably observant.
